GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for 'My 2 Cents.'
I've been thinking a lot lately about why we feel the need to explain. We explain why we say no to plans. We explain why we aren't married or why we don't have kids or why we have the job we have. Parents explain why they have a nanny or take their kids to daycare. We explain why we need a day off or vacation. We explain our appearance or why we workout. We explain why our homes are messy or the meal isn't homemade.
Why?
Do we feel like we need to justify our life choices to other people? Are we seeking approval? We are certainly free to make our own decisions and I'm personally tired of feeling like I have to explain why I make them. Maybe you feel the same way, too.
I read a couple of articles about this, psychologists and life coaches across the internet agree explaining is limiting.
It drains your energy - not only do you have to make decisions, then you have to explain them to everyone.
It robs us of empowerment - we need to trust our gut and when we are constantly justifying our choices, it makes us question them.
It could even keep you from making decisions you know you need to make - explaining makes you feel like you need permission - do what makes YOU happy. You know yourself better than anyone else.
Imagine saying no to a get together when you already have too much on your plate and not feeling like you have to explain. Think about how nice it would be to take time off from work and not feel like you need to justify a break. Wouldn't it be great to have a friend over to your house and not say, 'I'm sorry it's so messy I haven't had time to clean.'?
Be who you are. Make the choices you make. Stop explaining when you don't need to.